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According to Avery County Fire Marshal David Charles Vance, a fire that destroyed a home off of Old Turnpike Road in Banner Elk Thursday is still being investigated.

Construction work was being done on the house, he said, but purely cosmetic, no electrical work that might spark a blaze. What about the possibility of lightning? Vance says neighbors did not see any flashes nearby. It is being investigated as a possibility, nonetheless. Insurance investigators have access to lightning records, Vance said.

Such records may be able to rule out lightning as a cause. While electricity was on in the house, evidence has not been found to suggest that as a cause. At this point, Vance is still exploring all options. Insurance investigators should arrive sometime this week.